Traffic marker



Dec. 8, 1942.

TRAFFIC MARKER J. R. ELLI-OTT 2,304,345

Filed March 5, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v B-Y%0/I% Wan.

differ/rel;

Dec 8, 1942. J R O T "2,304,345

TRAFFIC MARKER Filed March 3, ,1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 20 Z 22 m 2/ \x g I I I 1 YENTOR.

j 2/ I I a I T I 25. I I ,L H I f E I I /20 I I l l I I I H I 45 I I /E I I a I I x ,zv i I r I I l I Patented Dec. 8, 1942 UNITED STATE TRAFFIC MARKER James R. Elliott, Port Huron, Mich.

Application March 3, 1941, SeriallNo. 381,423

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in trailic markers adapted to be positioned at street intersections, crosswalks, safety lanes, or lines for defining or marking the middle of a roadway or elsewhere to guide ordirect drivers of vehicles, pedestrians, and othersin order to prevent or diminish the liability of road accidents by the vehicles traveling in opposite or difierent directions and to avoid accidents to pedestrians and others.

The invention is equally adaptable for marking and defining restricted parking areas, tennis court, etc. l l l One of the prime objects of the invention is to design a marker which can be embedded in a plastic body of bituminous, cementitious, and other forms of plastic pavements.

Another object is to design a simple, practical, and substantial marker which can be firmly anchored in position; which will not creep; which has a cap or insert colored in contrast tothe pavement, but which will endure the severe traflic conditions incident to the pounding thereon and the skidding and sliding of vehicle tires thereover, without appreciable wear or loss of its distinguishing color.

A further object is to design a traffic marker comprising a metal frame having a hard, colorfast cap or insert of stone hardness which will not crack, chip, or otherwise deteriorate when exposed to heavy traffic, and which will be securely anchored in said frame. l

A further object still is to provide a trailic marker which may be inserted at the time the pavement is laid or subsequent thereto, and which can be firmly anchored in position.

With theabove and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions and minor details of construction, without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a button type .of marker;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional side levational view;

Fig. 4 is an inverted plan view;

Fig. 5 is a sectional side view showing the marker and mold, with the marker in inverted position;

Fig, 6 is an end elevational view showing a center line marker;

Fig. '7 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. '7;

Fig, 9 is an inverted plan view; and,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 7 and showi'ng'a slightly different construction and in which an expansion pin or bolt is used as the anchoring means.

Various forms of surface arrangement can be made to secure the desired result, as it will be obvious that the markers can be arranged in lines to define traffic lanes, center lines, or safety zones, or they can be arranged to spell out various word such as Stop, Right, Left, etc.

The invention is typified by two specific embodiments showing how the invention maybe carried into effect. These are similar, the only substantial difference being in the shape, one of which is a round button type, while the other is rectangular in shape.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive of the drawings, in which I have shown a button type marker such as used to define safety zones and traffic lines, each marker comprising a body portion I0, preferably, but not necessarily, constructed of brass or similar material. This button is formed with a convex upper face and is provided with a relatively large pocket or depression ll defined by the shoulder 12 which is concentric to the periphery of the body portion ID. A centrally disposed opening I3 is provided in the body portion Ill, and a hollow shank or tube member I4 is mounted therein, the inner end of the tube being flared or tapered so that it can be readily secured in position and also assist in securing the insert in th pocket. An opening I5 is provided adjacent the outer end of the tube and for a purpose to be presently described.

The material of which the base or body portion of the marker is formed is of approximately uniform thickness. It can be either cast or stamped as desired, the upwardly curved edge I6, together with the rim or shoulder l2, forming a circumferential groove H in the bottom portion of the base, and this groove is of prime importance, as it serves to form an anchor for anchoring the marker in the pavement, and counteracting the push caused by the application of brakes or skidding and sliding of automobiles and vehicles while traveling over these markers.

The pocket I l is filled with a special compound C suitably colored for the purpose intended, and this is primarily in the form of, a powder which when mixed with a liquid, forms a mass of proper consistency so that it readily flows.

In the manufacture of the marker buttons, I find it advantageous to provide a rubber mold M (see Fig. the face of which is concave as shown at l8, this curvature being uniform so that the completed button, shown in inverted position in the mold, will have a convex upper face withpocket is filled, the material is left to set, and

the marker is then complete and ready for installation. I

Upon installation in a pavement, the bituminous or cementitious material enters the tube I4 through the openlower'end and through the opening l5 so that the marker w-illbe firmly-and securely anchored. w I

In Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive, I have shown a'center line marker, and this is formed substantially the same as the button type withthe exception that the frame is rectangular in shape, the edges being beveled as at 2|, said edges terminating in a Vertical marginal rim 22, which rim defines the pocket or space in which the compound 0 is placed, the lower edge of the rim extending horizontally a predetermined distance as shown at 23. A longitudinally disposed bar 24 is cast integral with or secured to the rim 23, and transversely disposed bar sections span the frame as clearlyshown in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

The space between the beveled edges Zl and the rim 22 provides a continuous groove 26 in the bottom face of the marker, and this groove serves the same purposeas the groove l1 hereinbefore described. Bolts 21 are provided in the bar and at the opposite ends thereof, these bolts being threaded to accommodate nuts 28 as usual, said bolts extending downwardly into the bituminous or cementitious pavement for anchoring the markerin position.

The center section or pocket of this center line marker is filled in substantially the same manner as is the button type, a rubber mold (not shown), of proper size and shape being provided, and the marker is placed face down thereon, after which the compound C is poured into the pocket until the compound is flush with the lower edge of the bars, the rim 23 and the open spaces between the bar sections 24 and 25 serving to anchor the insert in the frame.

The rubber mold provides for uniform shape and a smooth clear surface and the compound does not cling or hang thereto.

It will, of course, be obvious that the marker can be of any desired shape, and that lag screws can be substituted for the bolts if desired,-in fact I find it advantageous to use the bolts 21 with companion nuts 28 where the markers are inserted when the road is being built. When installing in pavements already constructed, I prefer to use the marker shown in Fig. 10. It is merely necessary to bore holes' of suitable size in the pavement in proper relation, then fill them with a suitable compound which bonds with the concrete, and lag screws (not shown), can be inserted through the openings 29 and forced into this compound to anchor the marker in position, the body 20 being countersunk as at 30 to ac commodate the head of the screw.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that I have perfected a very simple, practical, and effective marker for defining center lines, safety zones, etc., for vehicles and pedestrians which can be readily manufactured and assembled, and which can be easily located and anchored in position.

What I'claim is: v r

1. A trafific marker comprising a metallic frame having upwardly extending side walls terminating in alcentrally disposed pocket, a plurality of formed with upwardly extending side walls ter minating in a centrally disposed pocket adapted to accommodate a cast compound insert, an independent hollow tubular member mounted in the bottom wall of the pocket and formed with a flared upper end projecting a predetermined distance thereinto to secure the member in position, said member being provided with an air vent spaced from the lower end thereof, and also serving as a funnel to permit filling said pocket with the compound the lower end serving as an anchor for securing the frame in the pavement, and a groove between the outer rim of the frame and the pocket to prevent push of the marker in a pavement. I

JAMES R. ELLIOTT. 

